Self-lubricating packing for steam-engines



(ModeL) R. MORRISON.

SELF LUBRIGATI-NG PACKING FOR STEAM ENGINES, PUMPS, &c.

No; 249,385. Patented Nov. 8,1881

n PETERS, PMlwLRhagnphur. Washinglum n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT MORRISON, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SELF-LUBRICATING PACKING FOR STEAM- ENGINES, PUMPS, 840.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 249,385, dated November 8, 1881.

i Application filed Augnstfzi, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,

ROBERT MoRRIsoN, of St. Louis city,

and Stateof Missouri, have invented certain Improvements in Self-Lubricating Packing for Steam Engines, Pumps, 850., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvementsin selflubricating packing for steam-engines, pumps, and blowing engines, and feral] purposes where packing is required; and it consists, first, in

equal parts of hemp'and cotton fiber spun to and cotton fiber,

gether into rope of such sizes as may be required to. effectually pack a rod, piston, &c.; secondly, in making the rope self-lubricating by the use-of. plu-mbago, beeswax, and tallow in such quantities as may be most beneficial to secure a perfect and durable combination of lubricating materials, all of which will he hereinafter more particularly described.

The drawing represents a rope formed in aceordance with this invention.

The rope is made by'spinning together into convenient strands equal quantities of hemp which are afterward twisted into rope of the size required. Ten pounds of pulverized plumbago are dusted into the fiber of hemp and cotton to one hundred pounds of those materials while being spun into strands.

After beinglspun these strands are saturated 1 1 0 with a mixture of beeswax and tallow in the proportion of fifteen pounds of tallow to three pounds of beeswax, melted together and boiled for about twenty-five to thirt-yminutes. These proportions are approximate, and I do not confine myself strictly to them, as a slight variation may be made in them and not change the nature or value of the composition for lubrieating.

The object of a combination of hempand cotton is to secure the greatest elasticity possiblean element very desirable in packingwhile it is compact enough for proper tightness. The object in the combination of plumbago, beeswax, and tallow is to secure a mixture that will not dry, but keep a moisture in the'packing suflicient to prevent the wasting of the plumbago, which would otherwise occur; also, to keep the lubricating mixture'in the most suitable shape for spinning into the cotton and hemp fiber.

Engineers and users of steam engines and pumps knowfrom experience the value of packing which is elastic and at the same time possessin g lubricating vbination will be found the elements so much desired, viz: durability, elasticity, lubrication, convenience in shape, economy, and excellence in mechanical finish.

I am aware that hemp and cotton have been combined in packing, but never heretofore as in this invention. Plumbago has also been used, but never dusted into the fabric when being spun. I therefore do not claim these materials, broadly; but

What I do claim is- The method ofmaking self-lubricating packqualities, and in this com' ing for steam and other engines by spinning together equal quantities of hemp and cotton fiber into strands, having pulverized plumbago dusted into the fiber while being spun into strands, and which strands are afterward saturated in a hot mixture of beeswax and tallow, substantially as and for the purpose described.

ROBT. MORRISON. Witnesses:

ED. A. PUSTER, A. H. BRUER. 

